Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $103,170 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 2.4% through 2035, with about 800 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
- SOC 25-1051
- Educational Instruction and Library
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary in four numbers
- Median pay
- $103,170a yearBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $60KTop 10% $203K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +2.4%Slower than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+2.4%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +2.4% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 80012,000 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202512K
- Projected 203512.3K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 12K Projected 2035 12.3K - Typical education
- Doctorateneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Post-bacc certificate5.1%
- Master's46.5%
- Post-master’s certificate3.3%
- Doctorate28.9%
- Post-doctoral training16.3%
Highest education held by atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary Segment Value Post-bacc certificate 5.1% Master's 46.5% Post-master’s certificate 3.3% Doctorate 28.9% Post-doctoral training 16.3%
Also advertised as: Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Astronomy Professor, Atmospheric Sciences Professor, Geology Professor, Instructor.
Pay
How much do Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary make?
Every atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teacher, postsecondary in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$103,170
Middle half earn $77,260 to $135,510
- 10th
- $59,700
- 25th
- $77,260
- 75th
- $135,510
- 90th
- $203,190
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $59,700 |
| 25th | $77,260 |
| Median | $103,170 |
| 75th | $135,510 |
| 90th | $203,190 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $103,170
- Median hourly wage
- N/A
- Mean annual wage
- $116,020
- People employed
- 9,900
Versus all US occupations
At $103,170, Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn 102% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $52,190 a year.
Versus educational instruction and library occupations
Inside the Educational Instruction and Library group, where the middle occupation pays $68,270, this is 51% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $203,190 or more while the bottom 10% earn $59,700, a gap of 3.4×. That is an unusually wide spread, which usually tracks specialisation, employer type and years of experience.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 77% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
California posts the highest raw median ($133,230), but once local prices are taken into account New Hampshire leads at $125,023 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1California | $133,230 | $120,331 | 1,410 |
| 2New Jersey | $131,930 | $121,254 | 270 |
| 3New Hampshire | $130,230 | $125,023 | 50 |
| 4Oregon | $128,140 | $123,973 | 340 |
| 5Connecticut | $123,770 | $119,458 | 230 |
| 6Virginia | $119,940 | $118,630 | 230 |
| 7Arizona | $110,600 | $109,856 | 240 |
| 8Massachusetts | $108,930 | $103,000 | 470 |
| 9Maryland | $107,700 | $102,611 | 180 |
| 10Wisconsin | $107,370 | $114,108 | 130 |
Job outlook
Is Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Slower than average. +2.4% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | +2.4% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Slower than average
BLS projects employment of Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary to change 2.4% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 300 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 800 openings are projected each year, 6.7% of the 12,000 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of postsecondary teachers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of postsecondary teachers varies by occupation (see table). Both part-time and full-time postsecondary teachers are included in these projections.
The number of people attending postsecondary institutions is expected to grow over the projections decade. Students will continue to seek higher education to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to meet their career goals. As more people enter colleges and universities, more postsecondary teachers will be needed to serve these additional students. Colleges and universities are likely to hire more part-time teachers to meet this demand. In all disciplines, there is expected to be a limited number of full-time nontenure and full-time tenure positions.
Getting in
How to become an Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary
Educational requirements vary with the subject taught and the type of educational institution. Typically, postsecondary teachers must have a Ph.D. or other doctoral degree in their field. However, a master's degree may be enough for some postsecondary teachers at community colleges. Other postsecondary teachers may need work experience in their field of expertise.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Doctoral or professional degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Considerable preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary.
- Master's Degree46.5%
- Doctoral Degree28.9%
- Post-Doctoral Training16.3%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate5.1%
- Post-Master's Certificate3.3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | 46.5% |
| Doctoral Degree | 28.9% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 16.3% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 5.1% |
| Post-Master's Certificate | 3.3% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary do?
Teach courses in the physical sciences, except chemistry and physics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level. They may also conduct research and publish scholarly papers and books.
Day-to-day tasks
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most postsecondary teachers work full time, although part-time work is common. Postsecondary teachers who work part time may offer instruction at several colleges or universities. Some have a full-time job in their field of expertise in addition to a part-time teaching position. For example, an active lawyer or judge might teach an evening course at a law school.
College and university courses are generally during the day, although some are offered in the evenings or on weekends to accommodate students who have jobs or other obligations.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Speaking4.8
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Active Listening4.0
- Writing4.0
- Science4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Active Learning3.9
- Learning Strategies3.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Speaking | 4.8 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Science | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Active Learning | 3.9 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Instructing4.0
- Complex Problem Solving3.8
- Judgment and Decision Making3.5
- Social Perceptiveness3.1
- Systems Analysis3.1
- Coordination3.0
- Service Orientation3.0
- Systems Evaluation3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instructing | 4.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.8 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.5 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.1 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Service Orientation | 3.0 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Geographic information system · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Computer based training software
- Data base user interface and query software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 4 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 7 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around teaching, helping and working directly with other people, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
- Social6.5
- Investigative5.6
- Realistic4.0
- Conventional3.6
- Artistic3.1
- Enterprising2.4
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary
O*NET related occupations
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Environmental Science Teacher, Postsecondary
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Most earn $58K to $164K
+2.7%Doctorate - Educational Instruction and Library
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Mathematical Science Teacher, Postsecondary
$79,940median a year
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Median annual pay, with atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary highlighted
- Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary$103,170
- Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary$80,250
- Special Education Teacher, Secondary School$74,260
- Librarian$68,270
- Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School$66,270
- Kindergarten Teacher$62,680
- Library Technician$44,580
- Tutor$43,350
- Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education$38,140
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary | $103,170 |
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary | $80,250 |
| Special Education Teacher, Secondary School | $74,260 |
| Librarian | $68,270 |
| Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School | $66,270 |
| Kindergarten Teacher | $62,680 |
| Library Technician | $44,580 |
| Tutor | $43,350 |
| Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education | $38,140 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary appears on
Questions
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary: frequently asked questions
How much do Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary make?
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $103,170 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 102% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. The middle half earn between $77,260 and $135,510. The top 10% earn $203,190 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary?
Yes, and beyond a bachelor's: BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry requirement for Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 46.5% hold master's degree.
Is Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary a growing career?
It is growing, but slowly: 2.4% over 2025–2035 against 3.5% for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 800 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary do?
Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level. A core O*NET task: plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Document management software, Electronic mail software.
Which states pay Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary the most?
The highest state medians for Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary are California ($133,230), New Jersey ($131,930), New Hampshire ($130,230) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, New Hampshire moves to the top at $125,023.
What personality type suits an Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teacher, Postsecondary?
O*NET scores Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary highest on the Social, Investigative and Realistic interest areas, so the work mixes teaching, helping and working directly with other people with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are INFJ, ISFP, INFP. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.